Hawks smash Crows in AFL semi-final

Hawthorn Hawks captain Luke Hodge emphatically answered this week's questions about where the team stands in the AFL, brutalising Adelaide by 74 points in their semi-final.

Friday night's record 21.9 (135) to 8.13 (61) mauling at the MCG puts the Hawks into a Perth preliminary final against Fremantle in a week and ends a season of high emotion for Adelaide.
It is Adelaide's biggest finals loss.

While it was a dismal night for the Crows, they have earned universal respect since the tragic July 3 death of coach Phil Walsh.

They rallied to make the top eight and were outstanding last week to beat the Western Bulldogs in their elimination final.

Hodge was best afield, kicking four goals and collecting 24 disposals.

Hawthorn's below-par loss last week to West Coast in their qualifying final meant growing speculation about whether a loss to Adelaide would mean the end of an era.

Hodge had also been the subject of media attention after his drink-driving embarrassment a fortnight ago and an average first half against the Eagles.